CONGRESS

FBI Probed Lawmaker's Nude Swim Abroad on Official Trip Last Summer

By National Journal Staff

The FBI investigated a year-old incident abroad in which at least one GOP freshmen member of Congress swam naked at a drinking party involving other lawmakers, their families, and leadership staff, POLITICO reported on Sunday night.

On an official trip last summer, Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., stripped and jumped into the Sea of Galilee in Israel, joining others who were fully or partially clothed.

"Regrettably I jumped into the water without a swimsuit,” Yoder told POLITICO in a statement. "It is my greatest honor to represent the people of Kansas in Congress and [for] any embarrassment I have caused for my colleagues and constituents, I apologize."

Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., the highest-ranking lawmaker on the trip, scolded the 30 members the next day.

The other lawmakers present included: Reps. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., Tom Reed, R-N.Y., Ben Quayle, R-Ariz., Jeff Denham, R-Calif., and Michael Grimm, R-N.Y. Southerland's daughter was also present, as was Reed's wife. More than 20 people joined in on the swim.